Lodi council to discuss wrongful death lawsuit

Suit alleges wrongdoing in 2014 shooting death of Parminder Singh Shergill; Hearing on district council elections will also be held

The Lodi City Council is slated to go into closed session during its meeting tonight to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city by Sukhwinder Kaur in the death of her son in an officer- involved shooting in 2014.

Parminder Singh Shergill, 43, was shot and killed on Elderica Way after Lodi police officers responded to a family disturbance call in January 2014. Police said Shergill, a U.S. Army veteran who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, lunged at the responding officers with a knife after repeated orders to drop the weapon.

Kaur filed the lawsuit in April of 2014 and in December of that year the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office determined that former Lodi Police Cpl. Scott Bratton and Officer Adam Lockie, now a detective in the department, were justified in the shooting. They were cleared of any charges in connection with the shooting.

The suit claims that police were not prepared to handle Shergill when they encountered him Jan. 25, 2014, and used excessive force and intentionally and recklessly provoked Shergill, which led to a violent confrontation.

The suit also claims negligence by the city in causing a wrongful death and interference with Shergill’s civil rights through threats, intimidation or coercion without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

According to Mark Merin, the attorney representing Shergill’s family, the parties have agreed to mediation before a retired federal judge in March.

Also tonight, the council will hold the second of five public hearings in the process to change the city’s current at-large election system to a district election system.

During the previous meeting, the council established the criteria for drawing district boundaries after receiving input from the public.

During tonight’s public hearing, the council will identify communities of interest and other factors to be taken into consideration when drawing districts.

Following tonight’s public hearing, several proposed voting district maps will be drawn, and together with any qualified maps prepared and submitted by members of the public presented to the council for consideration.

Public hearings to comment on the proposed maps and to discuss elections sequencing will be held Jan. 21 and Feb. 7.

On Feb. 21, following a public hearing, council will consider the final map and election sequencing and an ordinance will be introduced.

Today’s meeting is set for 7 p.m. in Carnegie Forum.